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[csuitebitches]

On Being Well Spoken

I recently received a request about posting something regarding being well spoken.

Something you need to realise is that you’re not going to become well-spoken overnight. You need to practice on people. You need to SPEAK.

I used to stutter so badly that I could barely speak a whole sentence.

Flash forward a few years. I pitched my start up in front of a crowd, I joined Model United Nations in high school and college, I’ve been invited to speak on my entrepreneurial experience by some top universities in my country. It’s taken a lot to get here. And I’m still not where I want to be.

1. Apps to track progress and help you get better at public speaking

An app that you can use: “Speeko.”

I used to use this, it is beginner friendly and you can improve your public speaking skills as well.

2. Use topic generators

Go online and look up a topic generator. Generate a random topic, video yourself speaking on that topic. Don’t give yourself time to prepare anything - read the topic and start speaking. Set a time limit - you’ll realise that speaking for even 2 minutes can be quite difficult at times.

Not only does this make you realise that you may have limited language skills, but it will also make you realise exactly where you’re falling behind. Note down things in a journal.

- is grammar the issue?

- Lack of vocabulary?

- Too many filler sounds?

- Knowledge gap?

This is also a great idea if you’re at an intermediate level of learning a language/ polishing a language. Do this everyday and maintain a diary on your improvement.

3. Reading out loud

Select a news article or any article. Read out loud, slowly and steadily. Pronounce every syllable calmly.

A two minute read should take 5 minutes to read out loud. That’s how slow you should go. Not more than 4-5 words per breath.

Your tongue needs to get used to different syllables and sounds. Practice will help.

4. Talk in real life

Talk to anyone and everyone whenever you can.

Ask your barista how their day is going.

Ask your work or university security if they’ve had a good day and if they ate today.

Chat with your taxi driver about their life. I always start with asking them if they are from the city we’re travelling in. Even if you’re from that city, act like a tourist. Where are the best eateries? The conversation eventually goes to personal questions. How many children do they have, and what do they do? What do they like about the city?

You’ll learn the art of small talk only through practice. No book or guide can actually prepare you. You have to practice, practice and practice.

5. Diaphragm breathing

Diaphragm breathing is very important. Look up some YouTube videos for reference. You essentially breathe from your tummy (stomach goes in and out; not chest going up and down). This is a great calming exercise too.

6. Stuttering tongue/ jaw exercise videos

These are great because they really do prep your jaw and tongue well. The videos could include tongue stretches, placing your tongue on your palette correctly, etc. Search on YouTube.

7. Body posture

You really need to work on your posture too. Sit up straight. Back, STRAIGHT. Chin up, shoulders relaxed. Something as simple as posture can change your level of confidence.

8. Pranayama

A yoga exercise for breathing. You can find a guided video on YouTube for sure.

9. Vocabulary

Invest your time in expanding your vocabulary. There’s enough apps and games that can help you with that, if you aren’t fond of reading. A sign of being well spoken is having great vocabulary.

Start by looking up the synonyms of everyday words.

“I’m upset”

- how many different words can you find for upset?

“I had a crazy day today”

- one can easily use “hectic”, “chaotic” “lively” instead

10. Idioms

Idioms, phrases, sayings - look up common idioms in your language of choice. Aim to use at least 3 new idioms on 3 separate occasions in a week while you speak. You need to understand when and where you can use the idioms in your vocabulary.

11. Knowing when to switch

You can’t talk like a 50 year old heiress to a 10 year old child; you need to get down to their level.

If someone is clearly not a native speaker and is struggling to put words together, don’t use difficult words around them.

If you’re meeting with someone high profile, refrain from using slang.

The best speakers know when to switch their level of language.

You can’t use one singular type of speaking with everyone. You need to understand that there is a time and place for everything - and you’ll be able to switch like a pro only when you actually speak and start gaining experience.

[csuitebitches]

On Becoming Well Read

Why is it important to be well read or well informed?

We tend to gravitate towards people who we find interesting. A fear that most of us have is that we’re not interesting enough.

“What if I don’t make any friends because they think I’m boring?”

“What if I don’t know what to say at that date and he ghosts me?”

“I have no idea what this person is talking about, but I’ll pretend like I do.”

“God, I wish I had done some more research before coming here. I feel so dumb.”

In order to combat such feelings, we need to actually address them and work on them.

It’s not that you’re boring or plain. It’s just that you may not have expanded your horizon enough.

Here are some things that I do:

1. Read 3 academic articles a month (this month I’m reading on parenting, globalisation and urban riots). Annual review is a great resource. The articles I’m reading aren’t more than 30 pages long.

2. Read the news every single day. I have 13 different news apps that I use. You don’t need to use so many (I just like being informed in what’s happening in my country, the world, and certain specific nations). Start by reading just the headlines everyday.

3. My brain likes reading about fashion, lifestyle, exotic travel as well. I refer to CNA Luxury’s website for that.

4. If you don’t like reading, watch videos instead. YouTube is a vast resource. Look for TED videos, Cold fusion, Slidebean, Circle of Life, History Matters, Ted Ed, Absolute History.

Here are some topics I think are interesting / you can research on:

* your country’s history

* Basic international history and some of the most notable/ infamous events

* Classic literature

* Architecture basics

* Interior aesthetics

* Famous people and families in your country

* Prominent CEOs, politicians and personalities

* Start ups and industries that are becoming popular

* Small talk

* Jewellery - stones, metal types, settings

* Massages - best pressure points

* Real estate - structure deals, buying and selling homes

* Economics - rates and what they mean

* Philosophy basics and notable figures

* Alcohol basics - how is French wine different from Italian, why is champagne called champagne, what is the most popular drink in every country?

* Lesser known communities and tribes

Based on how well this article is being received, I'm thinking of creating a free newsletter, with content like this. Sign up here! Launch on 8th January, 2033.

[linguistness]

Learning a language = learning a culture

To truly understand a language and the people speaking that language, you also have to make a conscious effort to learn about the culture and history of these people. I know that the cultures of the countries where a language is spoken can be very different (e.g. Mexico vs. Spain, France vs. all African states where French is spoken, and even England vs. Ireland vs. Australia), so these suggestions work best if you have a specific target country in mind.

Here are some ideas on where to start: 

look at the political system of your target country/culture: how does it work? Who are the most important people right now? Is there a monarchy? 

look at the (broad) history of your target country/culture: since when is it an official country? Has it been in any wars? If so, with who and why? Was this country ever colonised or a coloniser? 

research the most popular TV shows from the last 20 - 30 years and watch some of them

find out the most popular sport of this target country/culture and the culture surrounding it 

research the holidays and how they are celebrated and whether there are any special holidays & what they mean to your target country/culture

watch some movies and TV shows that were made in your target country/culture, so you can get insights into the everyday lives of these people and how they interact

watch/read some news of your target country to find out what’s happening there right now & what the most important topics are for them

research how the school & education system works

research how the healthcare system works

research the typical cuisine of your target country/culture

find out whether there is some kind of traditional wear, its history, and what it means to the people

find out whether there are any indigenous people living in your target country, what their history is, and how they are perceived/treated in the country’s society nowadays

are there any stereotypes about this country/culture? Research whether or not they are true and why they exist in the first place

find out whether there is some kind of traditional folk music. Listen to it and find out its history and what it means to your target country/culture

what are the main religions of your target country/culture and how incorporated are their practices in society?

are there any social divides in your target country/culture? If so, what are they based on?

how is your target country’s relationship to its neighbouring countries?

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If you have any other ideas or suggestions, feel free to comment or reblog!

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[michelle-languages]

How to use Notion for Language Learners - a masterpost

So, I have been learning languages for a while now, and one of the things I have always been struggling with is having a space that could gather all the info I need, the spreads I used to make on my bullet journal, and maybe even something more.

Notion has become my best friend all over the last couple of years, but as I am a pretty sick perfectionist, I am still mastering the art of creating efficient templates, but I am slowly overcoming this problem of mine… In the meantime enjoy my favorite YouTube videos all about Notion x Language Learning:

how to make the best language learning plan | notion templates | AD by Anna Lenks

ULTIMATE LANGUAGE PLANNER IN NOTION FOR POLYGLOTS by me :)

How to make a language learning plan that WORKS ✨ Notion for language learners by Elysse Speaks

How To Make A Sentence Mining Database in Notion | Language Learning | Tutorial + Free Template by Leafling Learns

How I Created a 30-Day Language Study Plan That Works! by Shea Jordan

Create a language learning schedule that works + Notion Template! by Jusuf

updating my language learning notion 🖊 by Jo Renee Languages

Language Learning: Notion, RemNote And Reverso (French) by Red Gregory

How I plan and organize my life and languages | Notion tour 📝 by Lindie Botes

Hope you enjoyed this post, in the meantime I'll go and create the best language-learning hub you will ever see

[linguistness]

Best language learning tips & masterlists from other bloggers I’ve come across

(these posts are not my own!)

THE HOLY GRAIL of language learning (-> seriously tho, this is the BEST thing I’ve ever come across)

Tips:

Some language learning exercises and tips

20 Favorite Language Learning Tips

what should you be reading to maximize your language learning?

tips for learning a language (things i wish i knew before i started)

language learning and langblr tips

Tips on how to read in your target language for longer periods of time

Tips and inspiration from Fluent in 3 months by Benny Lewis

Tips for learning a sign language

Tips for relearning your second first language

How to:

how to self teach a new language

learning a language: how to

learning languages and how to make it fun

how to study languages

how to practice speaking in a foreign language

how to learn a language when you don’t know where to start

how to make a schedule for language learning

How to keep track of learning more than one language at the same time

Masterposts:

Language Study Master Post

Swedish Resources Masterpost

French Resouces Masterpost

Italian Resources Masterpost

Resource List for Learning German

Challenges:

Language-Sanctuary Langblr Challenge

language learning checkerboard challenge

Word lists:

2+ months of language learning prompts

list of words you need to know in your target language, in 3 levels

Other stuff:

bullet journal dedicated to language learning

over 400 language related youtube channels in 50+ languages

TED talks about language (learning)

Learning the Alien Languages of Star Trek

.

Feel free to reblog and add your own lists / masterlists!

[petrichornial]

No because you know what I'm tired of? the lack of respect/value shown towards classic music/dance( I'm talking about India here, but this is probs also true to other countries and cultures) UNLESS they are somehow related to western art. Like STOP. I KNOW I sound like some right winger on Twitter talking about how the West is CoRrUpTiNg young Indians- I'm not, those guys are idiots( and are usually talking about feminism, more openness and more personal freedom when they talk about being corrupted by The West).

Like I'm sorry, but some of you will not show any respect towards Bharatnatyam or Kathakali or Classical music unless it's fucking remixed with Shape of You. I'm not disparaging the people who make that kind of music, because more often than not, they HAVE to incorporate some western vibes into their art so that someone will actually notice the dying arts.

They have to make some dumb, low-quality remix with whatever English song is trending on IG when they usually make some of the best music in the world just for not losing money. You see expert dancers dancing to that goddamn remix of whatever the heck new english song is + some indian song so that young Indians don't feel insecure about themselves- Oh OH! look! OMG english song and indian song... #proudtobeanindian WELL WHY DON'T U WATCH THE ACTUAL EXPERTS SING IT BRO. People with half as much talent, a sprinkle of privilege, appropriating it ( YOU CAN TELL.) while those who gave birth to that art form get close to nothing( DO NOT. GET ME STARTED ON THE CASTEIST APPROPRIATION OF BHARATNA-)

Desis I am BEGGING you please be aware of the inferiority complex. I see a lot of Desi Diaspora ESPECIALLY doing this a lot and not even realizing it- I get that u probably live in some place without a lot of other desis or heck even other people of colour but like this isn't it chief. You actually want to learn about/reconnect with Indian culture? watch the people who made- MAKE-it.

edit: stop being misogynistic on this post + DNI right wingers get lost

[rulerofmyrealmbish]

Hi so if any one of u peeps cud give me an honest insight or review of oxford brookes uni,it wud be hella helpful.

[rulerofmyrealmbish]

[papenathys]

Hi! Can you recommend me some Indian literature? I saw your post about indian academia, but i couldn't find half of the books on Amazon

Amazon is maya. Libgen and zlib is truth.

Indian literature is such a vast category. There is no possible way to make a recommendation list that would encompass all of the various categories of genres and representation. Here are some books, mainly Indian literature in English, for easier access via Amazon and other sites:

If you want to explore Kashmiri politics: The Book of Gold Leaves by Mirza Waheed tells the love story of a papier-mache artist and a beautiful young romantic against the backdrop of the Kashmir insurgency. Politics, faith and longing intertwine in this beautiful novel, reminiscent of Fitoor.

If you are looking for LGBTQ representation: Kari by Amruta Patil is a graphic novel about a butch lesbian who survives a botched suicide pact and is left alone in the aftermath of her failed relationship. Dreamy art style, lots of musing on body, mortality and urban loneliness.

If you want an easy read on Hindu mythology: The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a feminist retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi's perspective. It's a powerful novel, full of female rage, and doesn't shy away from portraying moral ambiguity.

If you are seeking diasporic Indian perspectives: The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri is a collection of stories about NRIs as well as mainlanders navigating relationships, familial trauma and cultural disconnection. Not a single bad story here.

If you want to read about female icons: Heroines: Powerful Indian Women of Myth & History by Ira Mukhoty combines folklore and actual history to bring you intimate portraits of some icons of Indian culture. I recommend all of Mukhoty's works really, she is immensely readable.

If you want an introduction to the classics: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry brings together multiple characters into a narrative set against the Emergency of 1975. Now considered a classic in the canon of Indian literature in English. Be warned though, it has a super depressing end.

If you are searching for an anti caste read: Annihilation of Caste by B.R. Ambedkar is a seminal work in Dalit literature and anti caste studies. Intended to be delivered as a lecture that was cancelled last minute due to offending a Hindu society, this treatise is short, crisp and scathing in its condemnation of caste system and the evils perpetuated by Brahminical supremacy.

If you prefer memoirs: A Childhood in Malabar by Kamala Das is a leisurely, meandering recollection of the author's time in her mother's ancestral house in Kerala. Peopled colourful characters like fortune tellers and their parrots, irate cousins, folk dancers and pretty maidservants. Whimsical and just a nice, soothing read.

If you seek voices from the North East: A Respectable Woman by Easterine Kirk is set in the Naga hills and follows the aftermath of the withdrawal of the Japanese forces from North East India following Second World War. In general all of Kirk's works provide insight into Naga society and I cannot recommend them enough.

If you want to try independence-era literature: Ghare Baire (translation. Home and the World) is a classic by Rabindranath Tagore penned to express his disapproval with militant nationalism and exclusionary politics during the Non Cooperation movement. I think this is one of Tagore's best and most controversial works.

If you are looking for books set in the heart of nature: Literally any book by Ruskin Bond, but I recommend Once Upon a Monsoon Time and Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra. Bond, who grew up in the Dehra valley and continues to live in the mountains, spent his lifetime at peace with the flora and fauna of the Garwhal hills and his writing is tranquil, introspective and kind.

If you want to read contemporary YA: Potato Chips by Anshuman Mohan is a smart, funny and ultimately incredibly heartwarming book about a young boy who is forced to leave his old school and join the strict Catholic institution of St. Xavier's. Written when the author himself was a young student, the book contains discussions of class inequality, the Indian education system, friendship and urban Bengal life.

Hope you find something to your liking from here!

Kofi: papenathys

[rulerofmyrealmbish]

Why does the education system suck this bad?I'm sick and tired of my worth being determined by people who dont even know my real potential and people who themselves wont be able to solve the same paper they set for us.I hate how badly we need change yet the world forgets about us students the minute they leave school life and escape to freedom.We are the future,and ur destroying us.Sick of all this "makes u tough" bullshit.Mindset and upbringing like that is what brought ruin upon the our generation cuz congrats,u now have mental psychos trying to tear down everything that comes their way.

[rulerofmyrealmbish]

Why dont people understand the guilt of children being raised in toxic work environment?We literally try our best to leave it all behind and run away but the constant fact that they are our parents always keeps nagging at us.we really want some peace yet we feel trapped and choking for air.no one ever understands it and all idiots just be like "your fault,u made it a choice." like "NO I DID NOT I AM TRAPPED"ITS LIKE kanye saying Slavery was a choice.